Banned toxic red dye was detected in turmeric powder imported from India, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday.
Sudan dye is a red synthetic dye that is banned in Taiwan for use in foodstuffs, including types such as Sudan I and Sudan III.
Sudan I was detected in 10,000kg of turmeric imported by Kaohsiung’s Derho Trading Co (德和貿易), of which 5,714kg had been sold, the FDA said.
Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung Department of Health
The batch was imported from India on July 13, the FDA said, adding that 3,250kg of the batch was sold to DR.Diary Co (健康樂活生醫) which produces “organic turmeric powder.”
About 1,861kg of the contaminated product had been recalled until yesterday, it said, while the whereabouts of the rest is still being investigated.
About 4,286kg of the unsold batch has been kept in storage by the Kaohsiung Department of Health, it said.
The New Taipei City Department of Health last month found the toxic ingredient in Flying Horse Special Mix Curry Powder, FDA Deputy Director-General Lin Chin-fu (林金富) said.
Following the inspection, authorities decided to investigate products that have not expired and were imported from India in the past two years, he said.
Twenty-two samples of turmeric powder products imported by 22 companies were tested, Lin said.
Starting from Nov. 5, inspections for Sudan dye would be carried out at the border on turmeric imported from India for one year, Lin said.
Once it is found with the toxic dye, the product would be destroyed and the producer would be banned permanently, he added.
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